DSKP

Hello,

Me & my wife with 1 year old son are planning to visit few places in Alaska. We will reach in night of 29th June and will fly back on night of 4th July. This will give us full 5 days to see places. I am still in very initial phase of planning and deciding, what places should I visit.

If I take hotel+car, on average it will costs me around $1300-1400. We can rent out RV (small one or truck camper). With other suggestions here on TA, I checked with ABC Motorhome and greatalaskanholidays and both are coming around $1850, which is kind of high. Cruisemerica is little less, but they do not give option of late pickup and late drop and I will lose one day. But it is not just about only money, but I thought it would be a good first time experience for us. I can easily drive my car for long distances, but never drove RV. Any suggestions on this ?

I have not decided plan and places to cover, but probably it would be Seward, Valdez or may be upto Delta Junction. I am still mapping places. Do I need to worry on driving to these places or parking, specially because of long weekend ?

Regards

tomfuller

Flying to Anchorage, Fairbanks or somewhere else?
Unless you have experience with small Rv's, I think Alaska is not the place to learn.
Five days is not enough to scratch the surface of Alaska.
Read through my trip report for the 10 day trip my DW and I took early in June last year.
Be aware that the sun will be still up at 11 PM in late June.
Gas prices are high in Alaska. An economy car rental will get about twice the number of miles per gallon as your RV.

DSKP

I am renting RV once in May at my city, before going to Alaska.

"I think Alaska is not the place to learn" - is it because of narrow/less-lane roads or weather conditions or RV is difficult to handle and drive, in comparison to car ?

I gone through your trip report, which is helpful and still deciding on places or extending on my days.

From scenic point of view, which would be more beautiful out of below two routes ?

Anchorage - Glennalen - Delta Junction - Richardson Highway - Fairbanks - Cantwell - Anchorage (big loop via Fairbanks)
Anchorage - Glennalen - Paxson - Cantwell - Anchorage (Denali Hwy)

janisj

I only have time for a VERY short comment right now . . . 5 days is a very VERY short time for touring Alaska. I would not bother renting a motor home/RV. (You aren't going to be able to cover all that much territory no matter your mode of transport)

tomfuller

Don't think that you will save money by renting an RV vs. rental car and hotels/B&B's.
It was very nice to have breakfast prepared for you by a host.
You can return a rental car at the Anchorage airport.
I really lucked out when I got the Subaru Outback at the economy car price.
With your limited time, just go north on the George Parks Highway all the way to Fairbanks. If the weather is good, try to get a shuttle bus ride out to the Eilson visitor center in Denali. I hope you get a good view of Denali and a lot of wildlife.
East of Fairbanks, you might want to visit the Santa Claus shop in North Pole.
In Alaska even with a rental car, don't pass a gas station with less than half a tank of gas. There is a gas station at the Fred Myer in Eagle River which I found convenient.
With the RV you may have to wait for a complete inventory before your final bill is determined.

DSKP

I understand that I have less time to visit Alaska.
I am just trying to see drawbacks of renting RV instead of car. I am sure, cost will not be saved by renting car. That was my rough initial calculation.
Driving it may be tough, in comparison to car or renting it would be a hassle ?
I am not determined to take RV, but that is a option, which may or may be considered.
I spoke to two agencies and they were ready (short distance from Airport) to let us check-in in RV on first night (29th June) and we can drop RV on 4th July in late evening.

MichelleY

I cannot give any info on driving an RV. I do recommend looking at spending your time on the Kenai Peninsula- Seward/Homer etc.

janisj

>> I am sure, cost will not be saved by renting car.

DSKP

Actually I meant "I am sure, cost will not be saved by renting RV". By mistake I said car. So, you are right.

dfrostnh

For scenic and time, I agree with MichelleY to head to Kenai Peninsula and include Homer. But one of the fun roads in Homer is the narrow switchbacks to get to the top where you overlook the town and bay. I don't think even a small RV can handle that road. Otherwise, the Seward Hwy from Anchorage south is a major highway. You would also have time to enjoy Kenai's 4th of July parade and then about a 3 hour drive back to Anchorage.

Also find out how long you can run the RV on propane and battery and how often you will have to empty the grey water tank. When we camped we usually showered at the campground. I think we could only go 3 days without electrical hookups. When you park at a grocery store, make sure you have plenty of room to maneuver with no other vehicles parked next to you.

gail

You have a baby. Most RVs do not have seat configuration that will safely accommodate a car seat, as the passenger seats are side-facing.

DSKP

I understand that RV may be less feasible. But this will be my third time, when I will be renting RV, so feel it should be ok. I checked with rental agency and they say that if we bring our own car seat, it can fit with RV seat.
I have extended one more day, it may help us little more. Now, apart from RV question, I am seeking suggestion to trip, which I am re-phrasing here, instead of starting a new thread.

I will try to give as much as possible information about us and our interests, which can be helpful to give suggestions.

- We will be reaching Anchorage on 29th June evening and will stay in RV at Great Alaskan Holiday's office only. We will drop RV on 6th July early morning. This gives us 6 full days to see around.

- We will be taking small RV, which can be taken from on gravel roads too. Possibly 2018 model from GAH.

- We means, me, my wife (in 30s) and one year old son (who is more happier, while driving )

- We are more interested in scenic drives, photographic places and beautiful places.

- We will not do Denali National park bus tour, because it may be difficult with baby. But can drive from Anchorage till Fairbanks and back (for Richardson Hwy) or Denali Hwy (Cantwell to Paxson).

- We know that we definitely want to go to Seward (but not on 3/4 July, as suggested by Maple_Marshmallows in earlier post)

- If we want to do Glacier landing (helicopter), will it be worth and which one will be most beautiful ? And Cruise tour - again, which one will be most beautiful ?

- Based on Seward, helicopter and/or cruise tour, we can make further routes.

Please help us with your suggestions.

Thanks

dfrostnh

The most scenic drive for your time frame would be Anchorage south as you are headed to Seward. You can take the tram up Alyeska for amazing views. July 4 in Kenai is crowded but not crazy. Really great parade. Both Kenai and Soldotna are large suburban towns with large stores if you need to stock up.

We enjoyed drive north of Anchorage only as far north as Independence Mine. You should see some great wildflowers. The old mining town buildings are very interesting. Talkeetna further north is a very interesting small town but I don't think the drive is scenic until you get to town and keep in mind we had a clear view of Denali at the time. I think there is more to see and do south of Anchorage. One of my favorite views was from the turnout overlooking Homer Spit. Seward on the other side of the peninsula is a great town and fun to see otters near the docks. We took the cruise tour from Seward, longest one, on a sunny, calm day. When you see orcas swimming in unison near the boat, it's incredible.

Just beware of traffic around Russian River because if I recall correctly, the salmon run starts around the time you are there.